WSBK, Argentina, Supersport Race: Splendid double for Jules Cluzel and Lucas Mahias

Corentin Perolari (GMT94 Yamaha) started for the first time in his World Supersport career in pole position, alongside Ayrton Badovini (Team Pedercini Racing) and his teammate Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha). Kyle Smith (Team Pedercini Racing) made up the second row with Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) and Randy Krummenacher (Bardahl Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team).

With 193 points, Randy Krummenacher is 10 ahead of his teammate, Federico Caricasulo and here in Argentina, he has his first opportunity of the season to win the title. To do this, he will first have to finish on the podium, and preferably in first place. A victory for Krummenacher would require a fifth place or better from Caricasulo for the title fight to continue in Qatar. If the Italian finished sixth, then Krummenacher would become World Champion.

If the Swiss leader of the Championship finishes second this Sunday, it would be enough for Caricasulo to finish beyond the top 10 for Randy to win the title. By finishing third, Krummenacher would need his teammate to finish 15th or lower to become Champion while finishing the race just off the podium would not allow him to take the title.

If Caricasulo's chances seem a little slim, he can also win the title by recording victory in Argentina and Qatar. This would place him tied in the standings with Krummenacher but he would then win with five victories against four for his teammate.

Furthermore, with 38 points behind, Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha) is still mathematically in the title race. The Frenchman remained among the leaders thanks to his consistency and his victories in Thailand and the United Kingdom. Cluzel must at least get on the podium and hope that Krummenacher and Caricasulo finish far away.

Lucas Mahias (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) took his first victory of the season at Magny-Cours and Kawasaki's first since 2017, and heads into the Argentine round with confidence. There are two races left in 2019 and he has a mathematical chance of finishing third.

On the starting grid, the air temperature was 20° and that of the track was 36°. The fastest at the lights was Corentin Perolari ahead of Jules Cluzel, Lucas Mahias and Kyle Smith. The three French leaders led perfectly at the start of the race, with Caricasulo fifth and Krummenacher sixth.

Cluzel overtook his teammate Perolari, ahead of Mahias, Smith, Caricasulo and Krummenacher. The operation was very good at the Championship for Jules against his two opponents, Swiss and Italian.

Cluzel, Perolari and Mahias were slightly behind Smith in fourth who blocked Caricasulo a little. Cluzel set the fastest lap in 1'43.290. Caricasulo managed to take fourth position from Smith, 1.4 behind Cluzel.

Mahias moved into second position, followed very closely by Perolari and Caricasulo. Krummenacher was in sixth place at 3.2, behind Smith. Caricasulo took third place on the provisional podium from Perolari.

Cluzel increased his lead to 2.1 over Mahias, Caricasulo and Perolari. Krummenacher moved to fifth at 3.7 ahead of Viñales and de Rosa.

Cluzel's gap increased to 3.1 with 12 laps remaining, with Caricasulo now second ahead of Mahias, Perolari, Krummenacher and Viñales. Jules Danilo was nineteenth.

Cluzel leader improved the best lap to 1'42.670, maintaining a lead of 3 seconds over Caricasulo ahead of Mahias, Perolari, Krummenacher, Viñales and de Rosa.

Mahias took the fastest lap in 1'42.606, in his battle between the very threatening Caricasulo and Perolari, with Krummenacher and Viñales not far behind.

Cluzel increased his lead to 3.5 over Caricasulo, Mahias, Krummenacher, Perolari and Viñales with 7 laps to go. Then Caricasulo made a small mistake and Mahias overtook him for second place, imitated by Krummenacher and Perolari.

Cluzel performed solidly in the last laps, but it was much more lively for second place between Mahias, Krummenacher, Perolari and Caricasulo.

Mahias second at 3.0 from Cluzel was 1.6 ahead of the group Krummenacher, Perolari, Caricasulo, Viñales and de Rosa. Caricasulo lost a place, overtaken by Viñales 3 laps from the finish.

Caricasulo moved up to fifth, crashing into his teammate Krummenacher who found himself seventh.

Jules Cluzel finally won a magnificent victory with the GTM94 Yamaha ahead of Lucas Mahias with Kawasaki Puccetti Racing. Behind Viñales third, Corentin Perolari obtained a good fourth place ahead of Caricasulo, de Rosa and Krummenacher.

Race results:

Provisional ranking of the World Championship:

Next race in Qatar on October 27

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